Live updates of developments after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, selected by Reuters.com editors and readers. To see updates from Reuters only, click "Options" and turn off comments.

can u confirm the nuclear plants are safely shut down? one report says they are 'not working as planned' I am thinking something might have been lost in translation, here.

発信者 TriciaGroom3/11/2011 11:10:11 AM

wow... 4million buildings in tokyo without power..

発信者 steveincincinnati3/11/2011 11:10:53 AM

@TriciaGroom - the latest we have on the nuclear plants is that the four closest to the earthquake zone were indeed safely shut down. This info comes from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog.

発信者 Reuters_RossChainey3/11/2011 11:13:36 AM

Here is a list of estimated landfall times on the west coast and such... tried to post before, but my comment disappeared. wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov

発信者 Brandon Cornwell3/11/2011 11:14:53 AM

According to the Japanese papers and BBC the 4 closest to the epicentre are properly shut down, but there is a warning out and the PM has issued a state of emergency. The chief of the section has said that they are doing everything they can to make sure there are no leaks.

発信者 Elanor Edwards3/11/2011 11:15:21 AM

according to fox, the nuke plants shut down automatically and no reported radiation leaks

発信者 steveincincinnati3/11/2011 11:15:30 AM

Details of emergency numbers, public shelters etc. from Time Out: www.timeout.jp

U.S. President Obama sends 'deepest condolences' to people of Japan; says U.S. 'stands ready to help' - White House statement

発信者 Hasna Sadik3/11/2011 11:18:45 AM

it is amazing how water can take out a whole country with no way to prevent it. i dred to see what the extent of the damage in the days to come. this will have a major impact on gloabal economy. may god bless all the people in japan

発信者 steveincincinnati3/11/2011 11:18:58 AM

NZ is marine warning only: unusual swells, currents to be expected but will arrive at low tide.

発信者 chris_in_NZ3/11/2011 11:19:30 AM

We're getting lots of questions regarding a state of emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yukio Edano, told a news conference the state of emergency was issued as a precaution and there is no radioactive leakage at the plant. A cooling function is not working and workers at the plant are trying to get backup power working.

Houses swept out to sea burn following a tsunami and earthquake in Natori City in northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire. REUTERS/YOMIURI

発信者 Reuters: Mark Kolmar3/11/2011 11:44:21 AM

Kyodo news agency reports that a ship carrying 100 people was swept away by the tsunami. If we get any more information on this we will let you know.

発信者 Reuters_RossChainey3/11/2011 11:45:10 AM

Where can we find what exact areas of japan have been affected or will be soon. Any news on aizuwakamatsu?

発信者 Phil3/11/2011 11:45:35 AM

Lots of questions pouring in from the audience. We'll do our best to publish and answer them quickly.

発信者 Reuters.com3/11/2011 11:46:06 AM

what about other islands in the pacific ocean in between japan and hawaii? fiji and other?

発信者 steveincincinnati3/11/2011 11:46:14 AM

Amazing picture of what was previously "houses" coming up.

発信者 Reuters: Mark Kolmar3/11/2011 11:46:30 AM

Houses and cars are swept out to sea in Kesennuma city March 11, 2011.The biggest earthquake to hit Japan since records began 140 years ago struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-metre tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, ships, cars and farm buildings on fire. REUTERS/YOMIURI

発信者 Reuters: Mark Kolmar3/11/2011 11:46:39 AM

Steve, there's a tsunami warning for Fiji and rest of Pacific Basin but no word of damage.

発信者 Reuters.com3/11/2011 11:47:37 AM

Transportation is shut down in Tokyo

発信者 Hasna Sadik3/11/2011 11:47:45 AM

japan has the third largest economy in the world. this could/will have major implacations on world economy

発信者 steveincincinnati3/11/2011 11:47:49 AM

Here's what we're reporting on likely economic impact:

"Stocks will probably fall on Monday, especially of those companies, that have factories in the affected areas, but on the whole the sell-off will likely be short-lived," said Mitsuhsige Akino, a fund manager at IchiyoshiInvestment Management.

Bond futures surged on worries the widespread damage would put further pressure on the already sputtering economy, while the most active gold contract on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange, February 2012, inched higher.

"We still don't know the full scale of the damage, but considering what happened after the earthquake in Kobe, this will certainly lead the government to compile an emergency budget. We can expect consumption to fall. This could temporarily pull down gross domestic product," Yamamoto said.

Can anyone update on news of a vessel being swept away carrying 100 pasengers? Thanks

発信者 Alex Maclennan3/11/2011 11:50:56 AM

Looking into it

発信者 Reuters.com3/11/2011 11:51:02 AM

The reports on the power plant are alarming. The core has to be continually cooled even after removal. It is hard to accept that a "power problem" is preventing them from operating the pump. Something else must be wrong with the pumping system. I don't know much about Japanese reactor design, but I am very concerned an uncooled core will eventually superheat the coolant and explode. If I were them, I would evacuate the area.

発信者 D Morris 編集 Reuters.com3/11/2011 11:52:15 AM

Australian government is not evacuating Australian health workers on low Pacific islands north of Australia. They have told the health workers that they are not in any danger. At least one health worker is taking a sleeping pill in hope that if their 8 metre high island is awash, she will not know the horror.

発信者 Shona3/11/2011 11:52:33 AM

Son with Air Force in Misawa reportds no power nor cell phones -- otherwise Air Force i sOK

発信者 Steve Austen3/11/2011 11:52:36 AM

BBC just quoted Reuters 'ship carrying 100 people sunk off the coast of Japan'. Can this be confirmed?